Thursday, June 30, 2016

Heat Safety

It is officially
summer and the days of high temperatures have just begun! Many people take
these sunny days as opportunities to enjoy nature, go for walks, jogs, or just
simply lay on the beach. While basking in the sun can be a very enjoyable
experience, it can also cause physical harm, such as heat exhaustion or heat
stroke, so here are some tips on preventing, and protecting against, sun and
heat related illness.

Be aware of the weather forecast. Keeping an eye on the predicted
temperatures can help you make educated decisions on your exercise choice for
the day. Both exercise and high temperatures can raise your core body
temperature. While sweating is your body’s way of keeping cool, in high
humidity perspiration doesn’t evaporate as quickly from the surface of your
skin, making it more difficult to cool down and subsequently raising your heart
rate. If the forecast shows high humidity, it would be smart to scale back on
the workout, or switch it to a day that is less humid.

Pick weather appropriate clothing. Sun protection begins when you wake up
and get dressed. Light colored and sweat-wicking clothing helps keep you cool
in hot weather, whereas dark, heavy clothes can make you even hotter.

Sunscreen isn’t just for the beach! Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before heading
out on those particularly sunny days to protect against sunburn, which can
decrease your body’s ability to self-cool. Opt for water-resistant sunscreen
with a minimum of SPF 30 for the best results.

Replenish, replenish, replenish. Hydration is essential all year round,
but it is particularly important during the summer months when you can be
losing water through perspiration, perhaps without you realizing! You can
easily lose a few pounds of water weight while sweating. Fortunately, you can
replenish this loss through drinking more water. One tip is to weigh your self
before and after workouts, replacing each pound lost with 3 cups of water.

Sometimes it’s
too late for prevention, so it is important to know the signs and symptoms of
heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which are caused by exposure to high
temperatures and dehydration.Signs of
heat exhaustion include, but are not limited to: heavy sweating, muscle cramps,
dizziness, headache and cool, moist skin. If untreated, heat exhaustion can
progress into heat stroke, a more serious heat-related illness. With heat
stroke, look for the following symptoms: dry, hot skin without sweating,
confusion, a body temperature of above 105*F, rapid and weak pulse, seizures
and unconsciousness.

Hopefully this
information will help to prevent heat related illness. Just remember, making
smart choices with high temperatures will help make a more enjoyable summer
experience!

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Changes Taking Place for Dietetics at AU

As the recent post mentioned, the AU Dietetics Program will be moving out of the Department of FCS to form the new Department of Health Sciences along with Athletic Training and Exercise Sciences within the Shar College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Change is never easy, and much time has been dedicated to this decision and evaluating the subsequent impacts that this move will have on all those concerned.
Overall, this realignment will increase the visibility of the Dietetics Major to the community and prospective students. Logically, it is easier for students to associate Dietetics with other health care majors than with those majors within FCS. The historical placement of nutrition and in some cases Dietetics, within the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences remains at some institutions, but the trend is to move this major to a more appropriate placement along side other health-related areas of study. While the historical perspective should be acknowledged and appreciated, it should never limit the vision towards the future. Without vision and change, the continual growth, development, and evolution of this program would not be able to reach its fulliest potential. As previously stated, change and growth are seldom easy, but without them, proactive steps become reactive, which is not a beneficial strategy when moving forward towards the future, for if you are not moving forward, you are falling behind. Dr. V.

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Tip of the Day

Managing Food Allergies

Have you or a family member been diagnosed with a food allergy? Or perhaps you have a guest visiting your home with a food allergy? One important step to remember in managing food allergies is to avoid cross-contact.

Cross-contact occurs when one food comes into contact with another food and their proteins mix. As a result, each food then contains small amounts of the other food that are often invisible to us. Even a trace of food on a spoon or spatula that is invisible to us can cause an allergic reaction.

When cooking allergen-free meals, use utensils and pans that have been thoroughly washed with soap and water. If cooking several foods at the same time, cook the allergen-free meal first, then keep it covered and away from any splatter caused by other foods that are cooking. If you have handled an allergy-causing food, wash your hands with soap and warm water before serving the allergen-free meal.